Matsuyama Castle is the best attractive sightseeing spot in Matsuyama. It is one of the only 12 castles in Japan retaining the structure built in the Edo period. Our visits are the main keep, the second keep, where the feudal lord residence were located , the third keep, where high ranking samurai used to live and Bansui-so, which was built by a descendant of the former fuedal lord.

Itinerary

Feel free to personalize this offer with Kaz.

The main keep, where the castle tower is located on a hill with a height of 131m.

The second keep, where the fudal lord used to live. It is now Ninomaru Historical Garden.

The third keep, where high-ranking samurai used to live. It is now Shiroyama Park.

Ichiban-cho Street, which is the center of the city.

Bansui-so Villa, which was built by a descendant of the former feudal lord of Matsuyama.

Departure & Return

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

guide fee

What‘s not included

taxi fare (from the hotel to the foot of the hill on the top of which the castle tower is located)
taxi fare (to the hotel, if you want)
entrance fee (the guide can pass free)
the ropeway (cable car) charge: 270 yen / person / one way
the castle tower : 510 yen/ person
the second keep : 300 yen / person
Bansui-so : 300 yen / person
your meal and the guide meal (if you extend the tour hours and have lunch)

Important

I can guide you at other areas in Shikoku, if you would burden my travel expenses. The expenses are, for example, 8,000 yen at Kochi.

Time is moeny. And I would like to help you avoid a troublesome thing. So, basically I would like to pick you up at your hotel in the city and use a taxi to the foot of the castle's hill.

But if you are sure to find the place of Ropeway Platform, or Ro-pu-ei Nori-ba in Japanese, which is the second in the photo show, we can meet there.

The taxi fare would be, in most cases, within 1,000 yen per car. If you let me know your hotel's name, I can tell you estimated fare in advance. If the fare is estimeted to be too expensive, I would make an alternative proposal to you.

The taxi car holds up to 4 passengers Including me, a guide. So when you are 3 members, all of us can get in a car. But when you are 4 to 7 members, you should need another car and have to take 2 cars in total.

The tour is desigend so that I will attend you to your hotel. But if you want to leave me at Ichiban-cho, you can do it. You may be able to enjoy shopping around there, because the place is the very downtown of the city.

During this tour you have to walk down through the path in the hill forest from the main keep to the second keep and then to the third keep. There is a difference of more than 90m in terms of altitude. You need to be sturdy in walking. So if you are not strong and slow in walking, you should avoid this tour.
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Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 30 days prior to meeting time

50% Refund - 15 to 29 days prior to meeting time

No Refund - Within 14 day(s) prior to meeting time

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make changes after I book?

Yes! If you need to make changes such as removing or adding someone to your booking or changing the date or time of your tour, contact us by phone or email

Starting and ending points of the tour.

After you secure your booking, the starting and ending points of your tour can be customized to your convenience (ex.: your hotel, nearby stations, etc.). Don't worry, we will take care of you! Some tours may have an extra fee for this service, make sure to check the tour page.

What happens after I book a tour?

After booking a tour, the guide will accept (or decline) your booking within 24 hours. Then you will be noticed by email from Triplelights.

Is the price per person or per group?

The price is charged per group. Which means that you make a one-time payment for your entire group and the price will not change if it is less or more people.

Can I add more people to my booking?

Some guides accept extra people (more than the specified number) for an extra charge. Please check for the extras on the tour or booking page, or contact your guide directly to clarify.

Will there be other tourists in my tour?

No. Your tour is private, only for you and your family or friends, there will be no other group of tourists together in your tour.

Can the guide pickup me at the airport?

Yes, but there will be additional charge for that and it is not by car. The guide will go pick you up using public transportations. For further details, please contact your guide directly.

I'm travelling alone. Can I book this tour?

Yes, you can and you may be able to get a discount if you are traveling alone. Price depends on which guide you choose.

“ Historical View of Matsuyama ”

We had a great guided tour given by Kaz in Matsuyama. He had a challenge of making the tour interesting for teenagers all the way up to a 79 year old!.. He met the challenge with great enthusiasm, and as a result we saw parts of Matsuyama that we would not have seen on our own, I believe not even some locals know what we experienced. Thanks Kaz!

Kaz:

Thank you for your message to me, Simon. I also had a good time with you and your family members. What you were interested in led to us to a local sake brewer, which began its operation 1bout 120 years ago, and to a cozy garden of the most prestigios inn hotel in Matsuyama with a history of about 400 years. These are the spots they don't visit in a usual tour. As you said, among local people there are few who are so aware of these as you are. I hope you will come to Japan again some day in the future. Finally, please send my regards to your family. Thank you very much again, Simon !

“ Kochi Castle, Buddhist temple, beach ”

We had an awesome time with Kaz. We were able to see quite a lot and Kaz was very informative about the places we visited. Highly recommend!

Kaz:

Thank you very much for your message, Chelsea. The tour was not a long one,a half-day tour, but I think you could experience good places in Kochi. Now a big typhoon is attacking Japan. It is lucky for you that you could avoid it. The T-shirt your mother gave me at the pier suits very well. Please send my best regards to her. I would like to say again, thank you very much for having a good time with me.